[Paparazzi-devel] Tiny 2.11 reset problem, solution

[John Burt]

Like Paul Cox I have run into a resetting problem with my Tiny 2.11. The 
AP worked fine with my Easystar, with 4 small servos, but when flown in 
my multiplex Cularis with 6 servos it started resetting in flight (very 
scary!).

After doing some debugging, I discovered that in the Cularis my servos 
were drawing up to 2A, and adding the 9Xtend modem I was occasionally 
exceeding the 2.25A Tiny power supply limit. This causes the power to 
spike down to 0V, the AP resets and there is a brief loss of control and 
GPS fix. The AP then reboots, regains GPS and switches to HOLD mode (in 
my flight plan anyway).

The current solution, as Miles Johnson pointed out, is to power the 
servos (and RX in my case) off another higher capacity 5V converter. 
This seems to work OK for me, although I haven't flown yet with this fix.

However, since others may run into this, I'd suggest that the next 
Paparazzi circuit version include a higher capacity power supply (e.g., 
the TI PTR08060W 6A power module). Another reason to beef up the power 
supply is that some Paparazzi users may want to power other devices such 
as video cameras and transmitters.